A69235:148
A treatise against lying Wherein is showed what it is, the nature and causes…A treatise against lying Wherein is shevved vvhat it is, the nature and causes…
A treatise against lying Wherein is showed what it is, the nature and causes of this sin, the divers kinds of it; and that all of them are sinful, and unlawful, with the motives and means to preserve us from it, or to cure us of it. By John Downame, B. of D. and preacher of Gods Word.A treatise against lying Wherein is shevved vvhat it is, the nature and causes of this sinne, the divers kindes of it; and that all of them are sinfull, and unlawfull, with the motives and meanes to preserve us from it, or to cure us of it. By John Dovvname, B. of D. and preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Nicolas Bourne, 1636
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A TREATISE AGAINST THE SIN OF LYING. › Chapter 12A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 12
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, by lying we sin heinously in many 1respects, against our neighbours generally and particularly. For first by lies we corrupt and deprave their minds and judgements, in putting down Truth which should reign and rule in them to direct them rightly in all their courses, and enthrone in the place of them false conceits and opinions, which are fit guides to mislead them into all errors and sins. Now if it be a great wrong to blemish, deface and defile the bodies of our neighbours, then how much more to offer these injuries against their minds, whilst by our strong delusions we make them to believe lies? Secondly, 2lies are most pernicious to all humane Societies, and Common-wealths, by perverting that order ⟨p. 122⟩which God hath appointed to be amongst them which is, that men conversing together should by their words and speeches impart and communicate their minds and meanings one to another, for the good of all; whereas if lies be spoken in stead of Truth, there can nothing follow but confusion, like that of Babel, whilst speaking one thing and thinking another, they cannot understand one another's language, nor guess at their meaning by their words, whereby the building of the State, and the work and welfare of the Common-wealth is much hindered. For hereby all contracts, covenants, and intercourse of dealings between man; which is (as it were) the life of the Common-wealth, the food that nourisheth it, and chief means whereby it is maintained and enriched are quite overthrown, when as men cannot give credit unto any thing that is spoken, nor trust unto the performance of any promise, nor be assured of any bargain, seeing those with whom they deal make no conscience of lying, nor have any care to keep their word further than fear of loss, or force of law compelleth them. The which as it is pernicious unto States and Common-wealths, in hindering their wealth and welfare, their livelihood and well being in time of peace, so also it is no less hurtful in time of war, when as Nations having experience of one another's lies and falsehood, being at enmity can conclude of no firm peace or truce, but take all advantages to work one another's ruin and utter destruction, because they have little or no hope that any covenants between them will be observed.